[INTERVIEW] Nostalgix Talks Playing Project GLOW!, Working With Dr. Fresch + More

Captivating festival crowds and nightclubs with her dynamic stage presence, the Iranian-born yet Canadian bred superstar DJ known as Nostalgix is stirring up a frenzy in the bass house scene. Effortlessly combining hip-hop, house, and explosive bass into one concise sound, Nostalgix has become an unstoppable force on the decks.

Known for her spirited live sets and massive tracks like “Mind Tricks”, “Mess With Me”, and “Act Out”, she has caught the attention of dance music heavyweights like Dr. Fresch, Zeds Dead, Tchami, and more. Following a monstrous performance at the first-ever Project GLOW! in Washington DC, iEDM caught up with Nostalgix to discuss hip-hop, house, and everything in between.

Read iEDM’s exclusive interview with Nostalgix Below.

iEDM: You just came off an incredible set. How did it feel to play the first-ever Project GLOW!?

Nostalgix: It felt very special. I feel like everyone really showed up early and were ready to party. I felt the love, I felt the energy, so I had a lot of fun.

iEDM: Like your music, you have such an energetic and playful stage presence. How important is it to just let loose with the crowd and have fun during your sets?

Nostalgix: I think that is the most important thing. I always remind myself to go into every set and just be myself and whatever happens, happens. I can’t control everything. All I can do is go out there and be myself as much as possible and show other people that they can be themselves and have fun.

iEDM: Do you have any pre-show rituals to get you in the zone before you take the stage?

Nostalgix: That’s a good question. My preshow ritual, I feel like, is very Zen. I love to stretch, do vocal warmups, and follow up with a 10-minute mediation. It just lets me be more present in the moment and allows me to get rid of any nerves, so I can just run on stage and be like, here I am!

iEDM: Not only do you DJ and produce but you rap over your own beats. Who would you say are your biggest inspirations when it comes to hip hop?

Nostalgix: I love what Doja Cat is doing right now, but early on, I was a really big fan of Iggy Azalea. Just because of her energy and the way that she rapped and filmed videos. Everything she was doing, I was a really big fan of, so I feel like that was a big inspiration and got me into it. Also, I’ve been a huge fan of Missy Eliot.

iEDM: Do you feel like there is an unexplored avenue of mixing hip-hop elements into house music?

Nostalgix: 100 percent! I think there is a lot you can do with it beyond just producing. If I’m sitting on my computer and working on a new song, if I am able just to freestyle over something, it gives me just way more ideas instead of waiting for someone else or sending something off to a vocalist. When I’m freestyling, I’m really bringing together all aspects of the record, so I feel like I can get really creative with it.

iEDM: I love your collab with Dr. Fresch, "Ghost". What was it like working with him, and can we expect more tracks in the future?

Nostalgix: Oh, Hell Yeah! Working with him was honestly a dream because he was one of the first people that got me into electronic music and got me into production. He’s just such a fun guy, and I saw him perform one day, and I was like, that is what I want to do. So, coming all around, full circle to be creating songs together and having the opportunity to perform with him has been really fun.

Nostalgix · Dr. Fresch - Ghost (feat. Nostalgix)

iEDM: If you could work with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Nostalgix: I love Miley Cyrus. I love her energy and everything she does. She’s so talented. I would love to work with her.

iEDM: Just over seven months ago, you moved to LA to follow your dreams, and now you’re headlining your own shows and playing almost every major festival. Do finally you feel like you've made it?

Nostalgix: I don’t think I’ll ever feel that way. I see a lot of really great things happening around me, but I am also a very ambitious person. I have a lot of goals of what I want my shows to be and what songs I want to make. Honestly, I feel like I am just doing the same thing I’ve always been doing, but now it's cool because a lot of people are seeing it into fruition. It is a good place to be at!

iEDM: Are there any festivals in particular that you are looking forward to the most?

Nostalgix: My Lord! EDC mainstage this year. That’s the dream!

iEDM: What can fans expect for the rest of the year?

Nostalgix: Oh my god, so much! Outside of doing shows, I work night and day on new music, visuals, and so many cool things I’m bringing to life. I got a new vlog series that will show fans a side of me outside of just the shows and see what my day-to-day and touring life is actually like. So, big things are coming!